Minerva “Split Seconds” Chronograph

Description

Offered here is an exceptionally rare and incredibly well-preserved Minerva split-seconds chronograph, produced circa 1940s.  The split seconds functions allows you to time two events intermittently, and was a very complicated function to master mechanically, and as such, split-seconds chronographs were produced in extremely limited quantities over the years.  This watch features a rare Valjoux 55 movement, and made in a huge, 42mm steel case.  Further, this particular example features a silver dial with breguet numerals and matching blued breguet hands.  According to our research, only one similar Minerva split-seconds chronograph has been publicly sold in recent years in auction in 2013, which was fitted with a silver dial, with the more common arabic-numeral layout.

This Minerva split-seconds chronograph, as stated before, is exceptionally well-preserved.  The case is unpolished and razor sharp, and still retains the remnants of its original caseback sticker.  The dial is near-mint, save for one minor blemish in the constant seconds registers – overall pretty amazing for such an old and uncommon watch.

For further reading on the history and origin of the split seconds chronograph, head over to Hodinkee for an in-depth article written by one of the leading split-seconds gurus, Mr. PH Zhou.